COUNTY 

WOKV 

Jacksonville City Council President celebrates flat budget that fully funds public safety 

Jacksonville, Fl — The morning after an 18-1 vote, Jacksonville City Council President Nick Howland celebrated a flat budget that fully funds public safety, critical infrastructure and core services. 

 

My Suncoast 

State, Polk County move to protect nearly 1,000 acres of farmland 

LAKELAND, Fla. (WWSB) – Polk County and the State of Florida have teamed up to permanently protect nearly 1,000 acres of agricultural land, Polk County officials announced Wednesday. 

 

The Gainesville Sun 

Alachua County passes FY27 budget, sets tax rate 

With the county adopting the rollback rate and lowering its countywide General Fund millage rate for the 10th consecutive year, the Alachua County Commission on Sept. 22 unanimously approved its nearly $1 billion fiscal year 2027 budget. 

 

Bradenton Herald 

Leon Commission OKs $420M budget with property tax increase, raises 

Leon County commissioners signed off on a $420.3 million budget for the 2027 fiscal year ― along with a property tax increase ― during their second and final public hearing Sept. 22. 

 

CNW 

Broward commissioners approve $9.2 billion budget with modest millage reduction  

Broward County commissioners have approved a $9.2 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, while adopting a slightly lower overall millage rate. 

 

WFTV 

Volusia County Council passes $1.7 billion annual budget 

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — After three hours of intense debate and discussion, the Volusia County Council passed a $1.7 billion budget, down from $1.8 billion, which leaders proposed earlier this month. 

 

Bradenton Herald 

With future uncertain, Santa Rosa adopts trimmed down $256M budget 

The Santa Rosa County Commission convened for all of five minutes on the evening of Sept. 22, but in that short time managed to pass a fiscal year 2027 budget just shy of $9 million less than its spending package from the year before. 

 

The Bradenton Times 

BOCC gives final approval of ordinance targeting “adult arcades” 

BRADENTON — Manatee County Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting the commercial use of simulated gambling devices in the county’s unincorporated areas, giving local authorities another way to crack down on businesses operating the electronic games often found in so-called “adult arcades.” 

 

PUBLIC SAFETY 

CFPM 

Lake County sheriff hopes to expand drone fleet with $12.6 million from federal immigration fund 

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is seeking $12.6 million from a federal immigration enforcement fund to expand the agency’s existing drone fleet and support the development of a so-called Drone as First Responder system, which would allow for some drones to launch remotely and start gathering information before deputies can arrive at a scene. 

 

PROPERTY TAXES 

Gulfshore Business 

Florida TaxWatch raises concerns over Amendment 3  

Florida TaxWatch, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog, is recommending a “no” vote on Amendment 3 on Florida’s Nov. 3 ballot.